TCC Pep Rally Sparks School Spirit and Anticipation for Return of Sports

Tidewater Community College energized its campus community with a spirited pep rally on Thursday, April 10, in the Portsmouth Campus Student Center. Students, staff, faculty, administrators, and families came together to celebrate student involvement and build momentum for the return of TCC athletics.

The event, part of the college’s ongoing efforts to boost school spirit. Featured lively music from a DJ, dancing, food, and speeches from campus leaders and student representatives. The event was hosted by emcee LaShawn Scott, who kept the energy high, and the crowd engaged throughout the rally.

Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Karen Campbell introduced the rally’s theme, “Storm Forward,” encouraging the crowd to embrace change and move ahead with confidence. TCC President Dr. Marcia Conston also addressed the attendees, delivering key remarks and motivation that emphasized unity.

“I am excited that we are all here together. We did this for you—the students,” Conston said.

Dr. Conston acknowledged the arrival of fall sports, giving TCC Athletics Director Chad Smith the floor.

The initial announcement of TCC’s return to intercollegiate was back in February’s press conference; however, Smith shared that the first official basketball team practices will begin October 1, with the competitive season starting in November.

Head Men’s Coach Clint Wright and Head Women’s Coach Rebecca Kershaw discussed recruitment efforts and the excitement of rebuilding TCC sports.

Coach Wright noted that nearly 30 male student athletes traveled as far as Texas and New York to attend the recent basketball showcase held at Portsmouth Student Center on Saturday, March 29. Out of the 14 male student-athletes offered a spot on the team, nine accepted. Three of the future student-athletes—Dwight Howard, Bryce Thompson, and Tayshawn Trotman—were present at the pep rally.

Coach Kershaw also spoke about her recruitment successes, highlighting two female athletes who already signed and two others who have verbally committed to the program.

At the pep rally, two student-athletes officially signed with the TCC Storm. On the men’s side, Derrick Grant, a 2024 graduate of Western Branch High School, committed to the program. For the women’s team, Ocean Lakes High School senior Madeline Fisher signed on as well.

Looking forward, the college announced its next basketball showcase event will take place on July 12. Several student-focused initiatives were highlighted including the Open-Door project, mentorship, and other student resources. Attendees also had the chance to participate in a raffle.

As TCC looks ahead to a new era of athletics and student engagement, the pep rally served as a powerful reminder of the college’s commitment to growth, inclusion, and school pride.

TCC celebrates Black History Month 2023

Tidewater Community College celebrates Black History Month 2023 with a keynote event featuring Tidewater African Cultural Alliance presenting Afro Mania with the spotlight on Ethiopia. The event is a fully immersive cultural experience and will be held on Feb. 11 from 2 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. at the Joint-Use Library on the Virginia Beach Campus.

Tidewater African Cultural Alliance featuring Kenya.

The event will include an address by Beserat Debebe, a graphic novelist and founder of Etan Comics, which features epic stories, African creators and “comics for every fan.”

In building Etan Comics, Debebe has also been building a world of African fantasy and superhero stories. It’s been something he’s wanted to do since coming to the United States in 2004. He spent his early days in libraries and bookstores reading comics and graphic novels. After a few years in the corporate world, he found the courage to launch his dream.

The national theme for this year’s commemoration is Black Resistance: Past, Present and Future. During February, TCC will host Black History Month activities and events on its campuses.

For more information and for accommodations, email vsc@tcc.edu.

Campus events include:

Who Are Your Black History Month Heroes?
All month — Tag @TCCVABEACH on Instagram to be included.
Students have the opportunity to share photos and details about someone who has made an impact on their lives. Send it to the link above to be included in the daily stories.

Feb. 1
ThinkFast Game Show – Black History Month Edition
12:30 p.m. – Chesapeake Campus Student center
Test your knowledge during this in-person trivia game show. Enjoy this interactive game and learn facts related to Black History Month. Compete for a chance to win cash prizes.

Feb. 2
Pop-up library – Reading is Fundamental
11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. – Norfolk Campus Student Center lobby
Check out our books aligned with the Black History Month theme of Black Resistance.
This event is held in conjunction with the Friends of the TCC Library Initiative.

Camaraderie – For Veterans, Military-Affiliated Students and the Community
1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. – Norfolk Campus Student Center lobby
Join history professor Jeff Acosta for a conversation about his life, service, and interests in local Black history. Acosta is a historian with a varied background that includes thirty-eight years of military service. He also spent eleven years as curator for the MacArthur Memorial.

Virtual Leadership Institute – Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
6 p.m. – See the Virtual Student Center or Canvas for the link

Feb. 11
Keynote Event – Tidewater African Cultural Alliance Afro Mania: Ethiopia
2 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. – Joint-Use Library, Virginia Beach Campus
Join us for an afternoon of fully immersive cultural experience featuring Tidewater African Cultural Alliance with a focus n Ethiopia. In addition, listen to a keyote address by guest speaker Beserat Debebe, creator and publisher of Etan Comics, home of the African superhero.
Presented in partnership with Tidewater African Cultural Alliance, Hampton Roads Community Foundation and Virginia Beach Public Schools.

Feb. 15
Finding Your Roots: Genealogy Workshop
12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. – Slover Library
Come and research your personal history. This workshop is facilitated by Troy Valos, head librarian and archivist. Registration required – see the Virtual Student Center for the link.

Feb. 16
Virginia African American Cultural Center Information Session
Noon – Norfolk Campus Student Center
Meet Executive Director Tamar Smithers and learn about the work of the center.

Virginia’s Community Colleges hosts HBCU Virtual Transfer Fair
6 p.m. – Visit Canvas for the Zoom link

Feb. 21
Movie and Discussion
11 a.m. – Virginia Beach Student Center
Students will watch a movie related to Black History Month, followed by a round-table discussion with faculty members.

Panel Discussion on Race Relations: Micro-Misconceptions of the Generational Norms in Today’s Society
Noon to 1:30 p.m. – Portsmouth Campus Student Center
The panel discussion will focus on topics including bridging the gap and navigating the misconceptions and cultural biases in education and in the workplace. Also, the group will discuss threatening speech and the native tongue. The panel includes professors from Norfolk State University.

Feb. 22
Black Stories Movie Marathon
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Norfolk Campus Student Center

SGA hosts Rhythmic Resistance: An All-Arts Open Mic
6:30 p.m. – Chesapeake Campus Student Center, Room 3100
This Open Mic event features guest speaker Vera Shinard.

Feb. 23
Movie and Discussion
Noon to 2 p.m. – Portsmouth Campus Student Center TV Lounge
Join us as we screen the film “The Untold Story of Emmett Louis Till” by Keith Beauchamp. Discussion to follow the viewing.

Feb. 27
Agency and Empowerment with Guest Speaker Kim Sudderth
11 a.m. – Norfolk Campus Student Center
Come and learn about Black resistance and social movements through a facilitated conversation.

Feb. 28
Movie and Discussion
Noon – 2 p.m. – Portsmouth Campus Student Center TV Lounge
Join us as we screen the film “Underground Railroad” by Susan Michaels. Discussion to follow the viewing.

Black History Month Celebration
5:30 p.m. – Virginia Beach Student Center
Celebrate Black History Month with fellow students, faculty, staff and members of the community.